Advanced user interface and control paradigm for multiple service operator extended functionality offers

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for presenting information regarding multiple categories of content are provided. In addition, methods and systems that suggest activities by a user in relation to content and determined affinity for content in relation to user contacts are provided. A user interface application is provided that operates to display status and/or historical information regarding content, suggested activities, and suggested contacts. The user can interact with the interface to access detailed information and to act on suggestions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, filed ______, entitled “ADVANCED USER INTERFACE AND CONTROLPARADIGM INCLUDING CONTEXTUAL COLLABORATION FOR MULTIPLE SERVICEOPERATOR EXTENDED FUNCTIONALITY OFFERS” and further identified asattorney docket number 4366DMG-156, and to U.S. patent application Ser.No. ______, filed ______, entitled “ADVANCED USER INTERFACE AND CONTROLPARADIGM INCLUDING DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT FEATURES FOR MULTIPLESERVICE OPERATOR EXTENDED FUNCTIONALITY OFFERS” and further identifiedas attorney docket number 4366DMG-157, the entire disclosures of whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The invention relates generally to the presentation of informationrelated to content available through a common data pipeline. Additionalaspects of the invention relate to the interoperability of a userinterface application and user profiles.

BACKGROUND

Multiple Service Operators (MSOs), e.g., cable companies, are working totransform their value proposition from one dominated by basicsubscriptions and equipment leases to a customer service driven valuemodel. One of the reasons for this is the recent ruling by the FederalCommunications Commission (FCC), which has been upheld in court, thatMSOs adopt the Open Cable Application Platform (OCAP) and that Set-TopBoxes (STBs) be open to other uses. With larger pipes, more powerfulSTBs, and improved customer service applications residing in those STBs,the MSO can begin to dominate the other Local inter-Exchange Carriers(LECs). This enhanced customer service value equation is viewed to beone key to continued MSO growth, increased revenue and increasedmargins. OCAP is a new paradigm that will allow MSOs to create, or havemade, and deploy, a whole suite of new interactive communicationsservices that can drive new revenue streams with higher margins for theMSOs. The OCAP middleware, written in the Java® language, willfacilitate “write once, use anywhere” application software to providenew features and services created by third party developers.

The OpenCable™ Platform specification can be found athttp://www.opencable.com/ocap/, “OpenCable Application PlatformSpecification (OCAP) 1.1,” which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

OCAP is an operating system layer designed for consumer electronics,such as STBs, that connect to a cable television system. Generally, thecable company controls what OCAP programs can be run on the STB. OCAPprograms can be used for interactive services such as eCommerce, onlinebanking, program guides and digital video recording. Cable companieshave required OCAP as part of the CableCard 2.0 specification, and theyindicate that two way communications by third party devices on theirnetworks will require them to support OCAP.

More specifically, OCAP is a Java® language-based software/middlewareportion of the OpenCable initiative. OCAP is based on the GloballyExecutable MHP (GEM)-standard, as defined by CableLabs. Because OCAP isbased on GEM, OCAP shares many similarities with the Multimedia HomePlatform (MHP) standard defined by the Digital Video Broadcasting(DVB)-project. The MHP was developed by the DVB Project as the world'sfirst open standard for interactive television. It is a Java®language-based environment which defines a generic interface betweeninteractive digital applications and the terminals on which thoseapplications execute. MHP was designed to run on DVB platforms but therewas a demand to extend the interoperability it offers to other digitaltelevision platforms. This demand gave rise to GEM, or GloballyExecutable MHP, a framework which allows other organizations to definespecifications based on MHP.

One such specification is OCAP which has been adopted by the US cableindustry. In OCAP the various DVB technologies and specifications thatare not used in the US cable environment are removed and replaced bytheir functional equivalents, as specified in GEM. On the terrestrialbroadcast side, CableLabs and the Advanced Television Systems Committee(ATSC) have worked together to define a common GEM-based specification,Advanced Communications Application Platform (ACAP), which will ensuremaximum compatibility between cable and over-the-air broadcastreceivers. Packet Cable 2.0 is a specification based on the wirelessThird Generation

Partnership Program (3GPP) Internet protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS),which uses Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) for session control. Byusing SIP, MSOs can create the foundation of a service delivery platformon top of their existing DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service InterfaceSpecification) or cable modem service. Two of the SIP features that areparticularly important to this invention are extensibility andinteroperability. These SIP features are important because new messagesand attributes can be easily defined and communications betweenpreviously incompatible endpoints are facilitated.

Another development that sets the stage for the disclosed inventions isthe processing power, multimedia codecs and storage capabilities of theSTBs. Many of the more advanced STBs have Digital Video Recorders (DVRs)based on hard disk drives or flash memory that provide many gigabytes ofavailable storage. They also have advanced audio/video codecs designedto handle the requirements of High Definition Television (HDTV).Processors such as the Broadcom BCM7118 announced in January 2007,provide over 1000 Dhrystone mega-instructions per second (DMIPS) worthof processing power to support OCAP, new customer applications, andDOCSIS 2.0 and DSG advanced mode. The Broadcom chip, and other generalpurpose and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) processorsused for STBs, provide powerful security capabilities such as theemerging Polycipher Downloadable Conditional Access Security (DCAS)system. DCAS eliminates the need for a CableCard and supports multipleconditional access systems and retail products.

SUMMARY

According to embodiments of the present invention, systems and methodsthat provide a unified view of information related to multiple mediatypes and/or media sessions available from a common pipeline areavailable. More particularly, a communication node is described that isinterconnected to a communication pipeline, such as a multiple serviceoperator (MSO) cable, that provides multiple digital services or bundledservices. As examples, these services can include cable television,telephony, digital data (Internet), and the like. A display associatedwith the communication node presents information to a user regarding thecurrent or historical status of a plurality of the different media typescarried by the pipeline in relation to the communication node, and/orcontent carried by a plurality of the different media types. The displaycan operate in connection with a unified interface application runningon the communication node. In accordance with further embodiments,profile information is used by the unified interface application toprovide enhanced information with respect to available content oractions regarding content. For example, an affinity can be determinedfor certain content or events based on profile information, and thedetermined affinity can influence the display of information. Moreover,the affinity information can be used in connection with using andintegrating social media, blogs, and other social groupings with theextended functionality bundles offered by MSOs.

In an exemplary embodiment, the communication node comprises a set-topbox (STB) associated with a television display and a remote control,and/or an auxiliary display, for example provided by a tablet computer,although other arrangements and configurations are encompassed byembodiments of the present invention. Information regarding thedifferent media types can be presented as a series of tiles or activitywindows presented simultaneously by the display. The displayedinformation can include listings of available content, such as currentlyavailable television programming, programming guides listing televisionprogramming available in the future, available television contentrecorded as part of a digital video recorder (DVR) function of thecommunication node, listings of programming scheduled to be recorded aspart of the DVR function, information regarding in-progress telephonysessions, such as an identification of parties to the telephoneconference and an elapsed time of the telephone conference, andinformation regarding past telephony sessions. The display can alsoinclude tiles that present information regarding Internet sessionsconducted in connection with the communication pipeline. Informationregarding Internet sessions can include a historical listing of sitesthat have been visited, an indication of sites currently being accessed,and information characterizing the content of sites. In addition, thepresentation of information regarding content can include arepresentation of that content, for example in the form of a frame orsegment of video, a screen scrape taken from an Internet session, or aseries of frames or screen scrapes displayed simultaneously.

Profile information can be stored for one or more users or personas. Theprofile information can be generated automatically, can be taken fromuser input, or can be the result of a combination of automatic andmanual means. The automatic generation of a profile can includemonitoring activity surrounding the various media types supported by thesystem. Input obtained from a user can include selections from menus orother input indicating specific likes and dislikes of the user,permissions, or preferences. Profiles can be specific to individualusers of the system, or can be directed to different groups or personasof users. For ease of description, the term “personas” will be used toreference an object of a profile regardless of whether that object is anindividual, particular characteristics or alternate profiles of anindividual, a group of individuals, or an entity other than anindividual. Regardless of the object of a profile or the mechanism bywhich the profile is generated, the profile information includesinformation that can be applied by application programming, such as aunified interface application, executed by the communication node or aprocessor provided by some other node in order to determine an affinitywith respect to particular items of content.

The determined affinity or affinity level can be used to presentinformation to a user suggesting programming that the user might like toaccess in real time or record for later viewing. In addition, affinityinformation can be used to suggest websites, events, activities that auser may like to access or participate in, or actions that a user maylike to take. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,visibility to such available content, including websites, events, oractions, can be obtained through the Internet access provided by thecommunication pipeline. Moreover, the affinity information can becombined with presence information concerning other users in order tohighlight activities that different users might like to engage in as agroup, that different users might like to comment on to one another, orthat otherwise suggests common affinities that can be highlighted andpresented to a user, to encourage social network activity or otherinteraction.

Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the followingdescription, particularly when taken together with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary content system according to embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates components of an exemplary communication nodeaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary profile according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a depiction of an exemplary user interface according toembodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating aspects of the operation of a systemaccording to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary content system 100. The system 100comprises one or more trusted entities 104, one or more content/serviceproviders 108, and a communication node 112 such as a set-top box, allinterconnected by a data pipeline or link 116 and one or more networks120. The communication node 112 is connected to one or more endpoints122, such as a television 124, a personal computer 128, a stereo 132,telephone 136, or in general any other electronic device as representedby box 140. Associated with the communication node 112 are one or moreprofiles 144, as will be discussed in detail hereinafter.

Typically, the content/service provider 108 provides content, such avideo content, to a user via the data pipeline 116 and the communicationnode 112. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention expands onthis concept and in conjunction with one or more profiles 144 providesenhanced content capabilities through the communication node 112. Acontent/service provider 108 can, in an exemplary embodiment, comprise acable company that provides content and services on a subscriptionand/or pay-per-view basis. The content and services can includescheduled television programming, on demand television programming,Internet connectivity, and voice telephony services. In addition, thecontent/service provider 108 can provide connectivity to thecommunication node 112 to international networks, such as the Internetas part of an Internet or digital data connectivity service, and thepublic switched telephony network (PSTN) as part of a digital telephonyor voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephony service. Accordingly,communication node 112 connectivity to at least some networks 120 can bethrough the content service provider 108.

In general, the communication node or set-top box 112 is capable ofreceiving content, such as video content, as well as providing orenabling services such as access to the Internet, telephony service, andthe like. The communication node 112 can also handle controlinformation, including information received from a user that is passedto the network 120 and/or the content/service provider 108. As will bedescribed in greater detail elsewhere herein, the communication node 112generally incorporates or is associated with hardware runningapplication programming to perform various of the operations of thesystem 100. The communication node 112 may also be capable of providingservices such that, for example, the user located at one of the attacheddevices or endpoints 122 utilizes the communication node 112 to assistwith the ordering, consumption and/or management of goods or services.

Furthermore, and in accordance with an optional exemplary embodiment,trusted relationships can be established between the content/serviceprovider 108 and one or more trusted entities 104. For example, thecontent/service provider 108, such as a cable company, can negotiatetrusted relationships with various service providing entities. Upon thecompletion of various checks and assurances from the service providingentities, the various entities could be listed as a trusted entity 104,at which point service requests made via the communication node 112, inconjunction with a profile 144, would be handled in a different manner.In accordance with still other embodiments, a trusted entity cannegotiate a trusted relationship with a user and/or a persona associatedwith a particular communication node 112. A trusted entity 104 can alsocomprise an Internet service provider or other content service provider,in addition to the content service provider associated with thecommunication node 112, or can be individual users, groups of users, orentities with whom a persona associated with the communication node 112exchanges content or other information.

The association of a profile 144 with the communication node 112 allows,for example, a richer communications environment to be provided to auser. This can include the presentation of information to the user, forexample in the form of a pop up that provides a suggestion that the usermay like to perform some additional action based on an affinity derivedat least in part from a profile 144. Moreover, at least some aspects ofthat additional action can be performed through or in connection withthe communication node 112. Profile information 144 can also be used toexchange information with one or more trusted entities 104 for exampleto exchange information between users or groups of users on the system100, that are potentially associated with the same or differentcommunication nodes 112, in which the users share a common interest oraffinity. Therefore, in accordance with at least some embodiments,profiles 144 used in conjunction with one or more applications on theset-top box 144, and potentially used in conjunction with informationfrom a trusted entity 104 and/or the content service provider 108,provide a richer experience for a user of the communication node 112 forinteracting with one or more content/service providers 108, trustedentities 104, other entities or users, or in general any entity where aricher experience can be provided based on the information available viathe profile 144.

FIG. 2 illustrates in greater detail components of an exemplarycommunication node 112. In general, a communication node 112 cancomprise a general purpose computer or server device that implements,for example, a set-top box. Accordingly, the communication node 112 caninclude a processor 204. The processor 204 may comprise a generalpurpose programmable processor or controller for executing applicationprogramming or instructions. As a further example, the processor 204 maycomprise a specially configured application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, aprogrammable logic device or gate array, such as a PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL,special purpose computer, or the like. The processor 204 generallyfunctions to run programming code or instructions implementing variousfunctions of the communication node 112.

A communication node 112 may also include memory 208 for use inconnection with the execution of application programming by theprocessor 204, and for the temporary or long term storage of programinstructions and/or data. As examples, the memory 208 may comprise RAM,SDRAM, or other solid state memory. Alternatively or in addition, datastorage 212 may be provided. In accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention, data storage 212 can contain programming code orinstructions implementing various of the applications or functionsexecuted or performed by the communication node 112. Like the memory208, the data storage 212 may comprise a solid state memory device ordevices. Alternatively or in addition, the data storage 212 may comprisea hard disk drive or other random access memory.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the datastorage 212 can include various applications and data. For example, thedata storage 212 can include a unified interface application 216. Asdescribed in greater detail elsewhere herein, the unified interfaceapplication 216 can operate to present information to a user regardingreal time media, status and/or historical information related to realtime media, stored media programming, the status and/or history ofcommunications, the status and/or history of Internet sessions, or othercurrent or historical status information related to content accessiblethrough or in association with a data pipeline 116, a content serviceprovider 108 and/or a network 120 interconnected to the communicationnode 112 by the data pipeline 116. The unified interface application 216can also operate to determine and provide suggested content and/oractions, for example through the determination of an affinity forparticular content or actions in association with information stored aspart of profile data 144.

The data storage 212 can also include a digital video recorder (DVR)function or application 220. The DVR 220 can be used to store videoinformation, as conventionally known. For example, the DVR 220 can beused to make a recording of programming or other content for personaltime shifting purposes of a user. A menu module 224 can be included toprovide an interface, such as a graphical user interface, that can bedisplayed, for example in association with the operation of the unifiedinterface application 216, to allow a user of the communication node 112to access programming and control aspects of the operation of thecommunication node 112. For example, the menu module 224 can presentinteractive program guides, and can provide an interface for theoperation of the DVR 220.

A modem function or application 228 can be provided to facilitateconnectivity between, for example, networks 120 accessed through thecommunication pipeline 116 and the communication node 112 and/orinterconnected devices 122. For instance, a modem function 228 cancomprise a cable modem that facilitates interconnection of an endpoint122 such as a personal computer 128, for example via a local Ethernetnetwork, to the communication node 112, and in turn to the contentservice provider 108, networks 120, or other networks or entities, viathe data pipeline 116.

A telephony application 232 can similarly be provided to facilitateinterconnection of a telephone, soft phone, video phone or othertelephony endpoint 136 to a network or entity via the data pipeline 116.In addition, an Internet browser application 234 can be provided. Othercommunication applications and/or functions 236 can also be provided, toenable the communication node 112 to be interconnected to and/or operatein association with the different communication endpoints 124 to 140, orother nodes. Other communication applications 236 can also includesupport for communications by the communication node 112 over linksand/or networks in addition to those accessed using the data pipeline116. For example, a function to enable communications over the publicswitched telephony network can be provided.

Profile data 144 can also be stored in data storage 212 included in orassociated with the set-top box 112. As described in greater detailelsewhere herein, profile data 144 can include information defining orassociated with the different personas of users or user groups, tofacilitate interaction of such users or user groups with content orother users or user groups via the communication node 112.

A communication node 112 can also include one or more communicationinterfaces 240. For example, a communication interface 240interconnecting the communication node 112 to the data pipeline 116 canbe provided. As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art afterconsideration of the present disclosure, a communication interface 240interconnecting the communication node 112 to the data pipeline 116 cansupport transfers of data comprising, for example, televisionprogramming, voice telephony, Internet browsing sessions, and controlsignals regarding transfers of such content and/or the operation andinteraction of the communication node 112 with respect to the contentservice provider 108 and/or other entities. As further examples, acommunication interface 240 can include an interface that interconnectsthe communication node 112 to one or more communication endpoints 122that are interconnected to the content service provider 108 or otherentities via the connection to the data pipeline 116 provided by or inassociation with the communication node 112. Accordingly, acommunication interface 240 can include a plain old telephone system(POTS) interface for interconnecting a telephone to the communicationnode 112. As another example, a communication interface 240 can includea network interface card (NIC) or other network interface to facilitateinterconnection of a personal computer 128 or some other network node,device or endpoint 122 to the communication node 112 via a local areanetwork connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection. Examples ofother network nodes or endpoints 122 interconnected to the communicationnode 112 through a communication interface 140 therefore include awireless access point, for example to provide a Wi-Fi network, a wiredEthernet hub, and the like. Therefore, an endpoint 122 can beintermounted to the communication node 112 through an intermediate nodeand/or network. As yet another example, a communication interface 240can include an interface that provides broadcast media to a digital oranalog television 124 set via a coaxial cable interconnection. As yetanother example, a communication interface 240 can include an infraredinterface, for example for receiving control inputs from a useroperating a remote control device. Other communication interfaces 240can be provided, depending on the requirements of the communicationendpoint 124 to 140 or other device to be interconnected to thecommunication node 112.

A communication node 112 can also include user input 244 and user output248 devices. Examples of a user input 244 include a keyboard, a keypad,remote control, position encoder operated in association with a display,a touch screen, switch, microphone, or any other device capable ofreceiving input signals from a user. Examples of a user output deviceinclude a display, speaker, or indicator lamp.

As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art after consideration ofthe present disclosure, various functions and/or components of acommunication node 112 can be integral to the communication node 112, orcan be provided by separate devices. For instance, a communication node112 comprising a set-top box can operate in association with an endpoint122 comprising a television 124, such that the television 124 isoperated as a user output device 248. More particularly, the television124 in this example can be operated to display a user interface,generated by operation of the unified interface application 216 that ispresented to a user. Continuing the example of a communication node 112comprising a set-top box, a user input 244 can comprise a remote controldevice that provides a plurality of keys, implemented as hardware or,for example as a touch screen interface, that can accept control inputsfrom a user that are passed to the communication node 112, for examplevia a wireless infrared link between the remote control devicecomprising the input 244 and a communication interface 240 of thecommunication node 112. In accordance with still other embodiments, auser input 244 and user output 248 can be physically separate from thecommunication node 112, and can be combined in a single device. Forexample, an endpoint 122 or a further communication node comprising atablet computer 128 or other device 140 can provide a touch screeninterface that presents information generated by the unified interfaceapplication 216 to a user, and that accepts input from that user.Moreover, the tablet computer 128 can communicate with the communicationnode 112 via a wireless link, for example a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth link,established in association with a communication interface 240 of thecommunication node 112. Accordingly, a tablet computer 128 or otherendpoint 122 can perform at least some functions of a communication node112, including providing a user input 244 and/or a user output 248.Other examples of components or functions that can be providedseparately from a communication node 112 include a cable modem, forexample for interconnecting the data pipeline 116 to a local areanetwork to which endpoints such as a personal computer 128 areconnected.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary profile according to embodiments of thepresent invention. The exemplary profile 144 comprises one or more ofbusiness, personal, and entity information 304, communicationspreferences 308, personal preferences 312, payment information 316,vendor information 320, priority information 324, contextual preferencesand sub-profiles 328, alternate contact modalities 332, contacts 334,one or more trusted contacts 336, and/or other information that definesor is related to a persona.

One or more of the personal, business and entity information 304 caninclude any information that a user would like to store. Examples ofpersonal information include name, address, credit card information,banking information, movie preferences, entertainment preferences,communications preferences, restaurant preferences, vendor preferences,billing preferences, and the like. Examples of business informationinclude preferred vendors, banking information, communicationspreferences, ordering or inventory information, employee information,payment information, accounting information, business managementinformation, or in general any information related to a business. Entityinformation can also include information about items such as groups ofindividuals, groups of businesses, or in general any entity that may notbe personal or business in nature. Interfaces can be provided thatprovide access to the information stored within the profile, and thisinformation can be edited, updated or deleted as appropriate. Theediting, updating or deleting of this information can be performed viaan interface on the communication node 112, or via any interfaceconnected to the communication node 112. This access to the informationwithin the profile 144 can be password protected, and the informationcan be transferred via or in accordance with well known encryptiontechniques and standards.

The communications preferences 308 provide to the user the ability tostore various types of communications preferences or modalities that candetermine not only the type of communication to use to access the user,e.g., video, chat, email, IM, telephone, or the like, but that can alsobe used in conjunction with presence information and/or communicationrouting.

The personal preferences 312 are a set of rules related to personalpreferences associated with a particular user or user persona. Thesepersonal preferences can relate to any functionality of the set-top box,display characteristics of the communication node 112, operation of thecommunication node 112, or the like, and can be related to any one ormore of menu options, viewing preferences, communications preferences,contact preferences, set-top box management, or the like. In addition,personal preferences 312 can include general categories of likes anddislikes, or other information that can be used to determine an affinityof a user or persona associated with the personal preference 312information with regard to various content, activities, scheduledevents, or other information that can be accessed in association withthe communication node 112.

Payment information 316 stores various information that can be used forpayment of goods and/or services ordered through or in conjunction withthe communication node 112. This payment information 316 can have ahigher security level than other types of information within the profile144, such that, for example, a password is required before the purchasefor goods and services can be made. Additionally, the paymentinformation 316 could be limited to use by the content/service provider108.

Vendor information 320 can include such information as preferredvendors, vendors who should not be used, historical purchaseinformation, account information, reference information associated witha particular vendor, or in general any information associated with avendor. When new vendors are utilized, new information can be added tothe vendor information 320 and stored as part of the profile 144. Inaddition, the vendor information 320 can be dynamic such that as, forexample, a user accesses a particular vendors website, accountinformation can be populated into the vendor information 320 such asorder placed, remaining balance, special offerings, or in general anyinformation associated with that particular vendor.

Priority information 324 includes any information, such as rules, thatcan be used to assist with prioritizing certain activities,applications, or in general, any functionality associated with thecommunication node 112. This priority information 324 could also be usedin conjunction with the personal preference information 312 to assistwith determining prioritization of certain activities.

The contextual preferences and sub-profiles 328 establish preferencesbased on context that could also be categorized as sub-profilesdepending upon, for example, a particular application being run on thecommunication node 112. As with the other types of information, thecontextual preferences 328 can be used by the unified interfaceapplication 216 to provide dynamic application behavior.

The alternate contact modalities 332 outline various contact modalitiesfor a particular user. These alternate contact modalities 332 can beused with the communication preference information, personal preferenceinformation and/or priority information to assist with completion of anincoming communication to an endpoint. For example, based on informationin the alternate contact modalities profile, one or more of a bindingmodule and an SIP functionality module can be utilized to complete anincoming communication to an endpoint where the user is located.

Contact information 334 may comprise the names and addresses ofindividuals or companies associated with the persona represented by aprofile 144. The addresses can be addresses for one or morecommunication modalities, and can include but are not limited totelephone numbers, email addresses, IM addresses, and IP addresses ofendpoints 122. The contact information 334 can include informationobtained from a user's electronic address book. Trusted contacts 336include information regarding one or more individuals or other entitiesincluded in the contact information 334 that are trusted. For example, acontact can be considered trusted if it is approved by thecontent/service provider 108. Additionally, an entity can be trusted if,for example, the user has had previous interactions with the entity andhas identified them it as being trusted. The trusted contacts 336 neednot be limited to businesses that sell goods and/or services, but canalso include entities such as schools, other individuals, or in generalany one or any entity that is identified as being trusted. For example,in a social networking environment, parents can establish rules that canidentify certain chat groups or other users that are trusted.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of an exemplary user interface 404 in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention. More particularly, the userinterface 404 can be generated by or in connection with the operation ofthe unified interface application 216. The user interface 404 can beprovided by a user output 248 integral to the communication node 112, orby an interconnected endpoint or other device 122, such as a television124, or tablet computer or other computing device 128 interconnected tothe communication node 112. The user interface 404 includes differentitems of information. Moreover, the user interface 404 is interactive,and can be manipulated in response to input by a user, for example, byreceiving input through the user input device 244 comprising a positionencoder or, where the user interface 404 is provided as part of a touchscreen display, for example as part of a tablet computer 128, variousitems of information can be moved, accessed, selected, or otherwisemanipulated directly.

In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,the user interface 404 can include a rolodex or menu comprising listingsof selectable items of information. More particularly, a first rolodexor listing 408 can include a number of status tiles, small windows oricons 410 that present information regarding content currently beingaccessed or that have been accessed in the past in connection with theoperation of the communication node 112 and the data pipeline or link116. This information can include a title or brief description of thecontent and an associated endpoint 122. In accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, the status tiles 410 provided aspart of the first rolodex or collection of information 408 can compriseprograms being viewed. For example, a first program may be playing on afirst TV, as presented by a first tile 410.1, and a second program maybe playing on a second TV, as represented by a second tile 410.2. Otheritems of information include information regarding current browsingsessions 410.3, 410.4, 410.5. Moreover, different status tiles 410 canbe provided with respect to different browser windows or tabs associatedwith a particular user or user device or computer 128. As anotherexample, browser history can be accessed in separate tiles 410.6. Statustiles 410 can also be provided to present information regardingin-progress digital voice sessions (i.e., voice telephony calls) or ahistorical record of such calls 410.7. As yet another example, statustiles 410 can be provided that contain information regarding recordedprograms 410.8, 410.9. Recorded programs can be the result of theoperation of the DVR function 220 of the communication node 112. Ingeneral, the status tiles 410 contain current or historical status tilesand therefore provide information relating to content that is beingviewed, has been viewed, or is available for viewing or otherwiseaccessing. In addition, the individual status tiles 410 can containinformation in addition to information identifying the contentgenerally. For example, information concerning the age appropriateness,subject matter, associated user or persona, endpoint 122, or otherinformation can be included. Moreover, at least some of this informationcan be displayed in a default state, while other items of informationcan be accessed by selecting or otherwise drilling down into theassociated information, for example by clicking on or otherwiseselecting an individual tile in the first rolodex 408. In accordancewith still other embodiments of the present invention, the content towhich a tile in the first rolodex 408 is related can be represented bypresenting a frame, screen scrape, series of frames, or otherrepresentation of the actual content in the associated tile.Accordingly, historical and/or current status information regardingcontent that has or is being accessed by a communication node 112, orthat is available to the communication node 112, regarding a pluralityof items of content obtained in connection with a plurality of differentservices made available over a simple data pipeline 116 can be displayedsimultaneously.

By selecting a status tile 410, a user can access additional informationabout the represented content. For example, the user can access detailsabout the television programming, alternate broadcast times, the historyof browsing sessions, the history of incoming and outgoing voicetelephony calls, details about recorded programs, etc. Moreover, thesedetails can include information used to generate affinity scores throughthe application of user profiles 144. Accordingly, the user interface404 provides a means by which a user can select, interact with, ormanipulate content.

A second rolodex or listing of information 412 can also be provided. Inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, thesecond rolodex 412 can include pop-ups in the form of suggestion tilesor small windows 416 that are displayed in response to activityregarding content and/or personas associated with the communication node112. The suggestion tiles 416 presented in the second rolodex 412 cancomprise dynamic pop-ups to alert a user to other activity that theviewing user may wish to participate in, or take action in regard to.For example, based on information in the profile 144 for the user's thenactive persona, an affinity of that persona with respect to items ofcontent that are active or available in the first rolodex 408 can begenerated. As examples, different items of suggested content 416.1 and416.2 can be presented. As a particular example, if a first user iswatching a television program, for instance as indicated in a firststatus tile 410.1, a suggestion tile 416.1 can be generated by theunified interface application 216 as a pop-up to indicate suggestedcontent and the predicted affinity of the user for that content. Theassociation of the content suggested by the suggestion tile 416.1 can beidentified by applying information maintained in the profile 144 of thecurrently selected persona. In addition, the information in the profile144 can be compared to information regarding the television programmingrepresented in the status tile 410.1. Such information can include thesubject matter of the programming, theme, or other information that canbroaden a user's understanding of the programming, provide backgroundinformation and context, or other subject matter related information. Asanother example, the suggestion tile 416.1 can provide relatedinformation. For instance, information about ratings associated with theprogramming, or suggestions for other, related programming.

The suggestion tiles 416 can also include suggestions of activities thata user may wish to participate in. For instance, a suggested activitycan be presented in a suggestion tile 416.3, based on the affinitypredicted for that activity from the content being accessed by a user. Asuggested activity could be some activity, such as a broadcast, liveevent, or the like that is in progress or scheduled to occur, and thatis related to the programming, the subject of the programming, orotherwise related to that programming that is presented in a suggestedactivity tile 416.3. Other examples of suggested activities includesubscribing to news feeds or newsletters, making a reservation to attendan event, booking travel and lodging in association with an event orother activities.

Other suggestion tiles 416 can include alerts regarding contentrepresented in a status tile 410 as that content relates to particularusers. Accordingly, a suggestion tile 416 can be presented to a firstuser regarding activity conducted by a second user. As an example, aparent (user 1) may be presented with a pop-up tile 416.4 to alert theparent that a child in a household containing and operating thecommunication node 112 (user 2) is accessing programming, web pages, orother content that may be age inappropriate. For each of the suggestiontiles, an affinity rating can be displayed. In the example suggestiontiles 416, the affinity rating is numeric. However, other scales can beused, such as a star rating.

The user interface 404 also allows the user to access detailedinformation regarding the suggestions presented in suggestion tiles 416.For example, by selecting a suggestion tile, a user can accessadditional detail. Such detail can include additional information aboutthe suggested content, event, or other subject of the suggestion, thebasis for the affinity finding, or the like. By selecting a suggestiontile 416, a user can also access the suggested content or take actionwith respect to a suggested activity. For instance, by selecting asuggestion tile 416.1 that suggests a particular website to a user, theuser can view that website. The rendering of the website can replace theuser interface display 404, can be presented as a sub-frame or window aspart of the display 404, or can be displayed on an affiliated device.For instance, where the user interface 404 is displayed by a tabletcomputer 128 in communication with a communication node 112, a selectionto view a website can replace programming that was previously beingviewed on a television 124, or the programming and the website can bepresented simultaneously by the television 124. As another example,television programming being viewed can continue to be displayed by thetelevision 124, while the selected webpage can be displayed on apersonal computer 128 selected by the user. With respect to activities,selection can result in presenting the user with a fillable form toenable the user to take further action with respect to the activity, forexample registering to participate in the activity.

In accordance with still other embodiments of the present invention,groups 420 can be generated. In particular, groups 420 can be generatedthrough an analysis of user contacts maintained as contact information334 in a profile 144. Various criteria can be applied to identifyappropriate members for the group 420. Such criteria can include levelof trust, social media association, geographical location, and likes ordislikes of the contacts, or other information that can be used toidentify the affinities of contacts with respect to content passedthrough or handled by the communication node 112. Based on commonattributes or affinities, suggested groups 420 can be created throughoperation of the unified communication interface application 216, andpresented to the user by the user interface 404.

In addition to suggested groups, the unified interface application 216can also store and/or access groups defined by a user, for example thatare stored as part of a user profile 144. Some or all of a user'spredefined groups 420 can also be displayed by the user interface 404.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the userinterface 404 can feature a spotlight 424. The spotlight 424 can be usedto initiate actions, and to provide a representation of currentactivities. More particularly, a spotlight 424 can be used to initiatereal time communications, such as voice telephony communications, and toprovide a representation of ongoing communications. Accordingly, in theexample figure, a status tile or icon 428 is presented in the spotlight424, indicating that the user is engaged in a real time communicationsession with an individual. For example, the user can be engaged in areal time conversation using an endpoint comprising a telephone 136 thatis interconnected to the communication node 112. The user can addconference participants by, for example, dragging contacts from a group420, or from a global list of contacts, and dropping it into thespotlight 424. In accordance with still other embodiments, other actionscan be performed by dragging items into or out of the spotlight 424.

In addition to the spotlight 424, embodiments of the invention provide awarm light 432. The warm light 432 is created by operation of theunified interface application 216 and facilitates and suggests actionsthat a user may wish to take with respect to contacts. In accordancewith embodiments of the invention, the creation of a warm light 432 canbe triggered by any interaction involving the user or a member of thegroup 420 placed in the warm light. Moreover, multiple warm lights 432can be presented simultaneously by the user interface 404. As an exampleof the creation and use of a warm light 432, an audio cast or othercontent may have been distributed to members of a group 420. Whetherthat group 420 is created automatically through operation of the unifiedinterface application 216, manually by the user, or a combination ofautomatic and manual means, the unified interface application 216 canplace the group 420.2 in the warm light 432. This action provides anindication to the user that some event (in this example the distributionof an audio cast) has occurred with respect to the members of the group,and suggests that the user may wish to take additional action withrespect to some or all of the group members as a result. Moreover, sincein this example the second group 420.2 has been placed in a warm light432, but the first group 420.1 has not, a visual indication is providedthat suggests that the user is more likely to want to take some actionwith respect to the second group 420.2 than the first group 420.1. Theuser can then select the group 420.2 that has been placed in the warmlight 432 by operation of the unified interface application 216 ifadditional action is desired. The selection of the group 420.2 canpresent additional options from which the user may select. Suchadditional options can include participating in a conference call withthe group, posting information to the group members, accessinginformation posted to the group, etc. Moreover, the execution of theaction can be triggered by moving the group to the spotlight 424.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating aspects of the operation of a system100 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Initially, thesystem 100 is started, for example a user brings up the user interface404 on a tablet computer 128 interconnected to the communication node112 by initiating execution of the user interface application 216 (step504). At step 508, the user selects a profile 144 to apply. Inparticular, a user may have the option of selecting from any number ofprofiles 144, to reflect different users of the communication node 112,or different personas of a user. At step 512, the status tiles 410 arepopulated and displayed by the user interface 404. The status tiles 410generally provide current and/or historical status information regardingcontent provided or available to endpoints 122 interconnected to thecommunication node 112 that are obtained over the communication link116. At step 516, the user interface application 216 applies theselected profile 144 to the activity that is in part represented by thestatus tiles 410, to generate suggestion tiles 416. The profile 144 isalso applied to generate suggested groups 420 (step 520). The suggestedgroups can be generated from an analysis of the selected profile 144,content represented in the status tiles 410, or derived from thesuggestion tiles 416. The suggested groups can be presented by one ormore group tiles 420. In addition or as an alternative to the selectionof a profile 144 by a user interacting with a user interface 404directly, one or more profiles 144 can be selected automatically, andmultiple profiles 144 can be applied simultaneously. For example, aprofile 144 for each user accessing content can be applied to therespective content in order to generate affinity scores, gaugeappropriateness of the content for the user, etc.

At step 524, a determination is made as to whether a tile 410, 416 orgroup 420 has been selected. If a tile 410, 416 or group 420 has beenselected, additional detail and/or menus of actions that can be takenwith respect to the content or information represented by the selectedtile is presented (step 528). Examples of detailed information that canbe presented include details of the programming, such as summaryinformation, identification of creators, actors or other individualsconnected to the content, age ratings and the like. Where a status tile410 is selected that is presenting current status information, theselection of that tile can provide an option to access historicalinformation, for example regarding content accessed by an associatedendpoint 122. With respect to a status tile comprising a browsersession, an option may be provided to view a historical listing of sitesvisited during the session. Moreover, an option to view frames or screenscrapes associated with selected content can be made. Actions that canbe taken include viewing the content on an endpoint 122 associated withthe user, blocking access to the content by selected endpoints 122,adding the content or an attribute of the content to a watch list, orthe like.

Actions that can be taken where a suggestion tile 416 is selectedincludes changing a rating with respect to affinities, viewing criteriaused to determine an affinity, accessing suggested content, or the like.Moreover, taking action with respect to a suggestion tile 416 caninclude dragging the tile 416 into the spotlight 424, for example toinitiate viewing suggested content or to initiate a suggested action.

At step 530, a determination is made as to whether a group 420 or groupmember has been selected. If a group 420 or group member has beenselected, a selected action can be initiated with respect to the contactor contacts (step 532). For example, a voice telephony call to aselected contact or group of contact can be initiated. Moreover, theselection of a group 420 or member of a group can include selecting anddragging the group to the spotlight 424. Moreover, where the group 420has been placed within a warm light 432, by selecting the warm light 432additional action can be taken. For example, by selecting and draggingthe warm light 432 into the spotlight 424, an activity suggested by thewarm light 432 with respect to the group can be initiated. For instance,a chat session involving the group can be joined by the user. Aftertaking action with respect to a selected contact or group, or afterdetermining that a selection of a group or contact member has not beenmade, a determination can be made as to whether the user has elected todiscontinue display of the user interface 404 (step 536). If the userhas selected to discontinue the display, the process may end.Alternatively, the process can return to step 508, where a user canchange an apply profile 144 if desired.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a userinterface application 216 can operate with respect to a plurality ofprofiles 144 simultaneously and regardless of whether a user interface404 is currently being displayed. Accordingly, a user interfaceapplication 216 can operate to collect historical information and todetermine suggested affinities even while a user interface 404 is notbeing displayed.

Embodiments of the disclosed invention have application in connectionwith user activity and social networks. For example, suggestionspresented in one or more suggestion tiles 416 can suggest interactionswith other users, either locally (i.e., connected to a commoncommunication node 112 by a connected endpoint 122) or over a wider area(e.g., interconnected to one another via a network 120 and/orcontent/service provider 108). Moreover, such interactivity can besuggested with respect to groups 420 or individual contacts. As anexample, a suggested group 420 can be populated based on a determinedaffinity for a television program. Based on a record of program episodesviewed by a user, for example stored as part of a user profile 144, asuggestion to interact with a group member (a contact) who is watching anext episode of the programming can be made. This suggestion can be inthe form of placing the group 420 within a warm light 432. Moreover, thegroup 420 in this example can contain a single contact. The user canthen initiate communications with the contact, for example by draggingand dropping or sweeping the warm light 432 and the included group 420into the spotlight 424, or by selecting the contact included in thegroup and further selecting a communication mode.

Although certain examples described herein have discussed a dedicatedcommunication node 112, alternate configurations are possible. Forexample, various components shown as being included in a dedicatedcommunication node 112 can be provided by or incorporated into one ormore other devices. For example, a communication node 112 can beimplemented entirely within a personal computer. As another example, acommunication node 112 that provides various supportive communicationinterfaces 240, but that has limited or no processing capabilities canbe provided. In such embodiments, some or all of the processing, forexample the execution of the unified interface application 216, can beperformed on an associated device, such as a personal computer 128 orother endpoint, or by a server, for example provided by the contentservice provider 108. In addition, various of the operations describedherein can be performed in association with other devices. For example,information regarding the status or presence of contacts can be providedby trusted entities 104 and/or the content/service provider 108.Accordingly, various functions and components can be distributed invarious ways.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. Further, the description isnot intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein.Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the aboveteachings, within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are withinthe scope of the present invention. The embodiments describedhereinabove are further intended to explain the best mode presentlyknown of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in theart to utilize the invention in such or in other embodiments and withvarious modifications required by the particular application or use ofthe invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed toinclude alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

1. A method for facilitating contextual collaboration, comprising:presenting on a display a representation of a plurality of items ofinformation, the plurality of items of information including items ofinformation related to content associated with at least two differentmedia types carried by a single communication pipeline, wherein thedifferent media types include at least two of a voice channel, recordedmultimedia data, and streaming video channel, and wherein theinformation includes at least one of an indication of a current statusand historical information.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: presenting an indication of subject matter related to atleast some of the plurality of items of information.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising: storing at least first user profileinformation associated with a first user, wherein the first user profileincludes affinity information; applying the affinity informationincluded in the first user profile information to determine a level ofaffinity of the first user for content represented by at least a firstitem of information included in the plurality of items of information.4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: presenting an indicationof an affinity for the subject matter related to at least some of theplurality of items of information with respect to at least the firstuser.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: identifying a seconduser associated with at least a first item of information, wherein anindication of an affinity for the subject matter related to the firstitem of information is presented.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising: providing an indication of a current activity associatedwith the first item of information, wherein the second user is currentlyaccessing the first item of information.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the indication is presented as a pop-up on the display.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein at least some of the items of information areindicated as being associated with an identified endpoint.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein the media types include at least two of a cabletelevision channel, a voice over Internet protocol channel, an Internetbrowsing session, a stored multimedia program.
 10. The method of claim9, wherein the plurality of items of information include: a first itemof information, the first item of information identifying a first storedmultimedia program; a second item of information, the second item ofinformation identifying a series of websites visited during an Internetbrowsing session; a third item of information, the third item ofinformation identifying one of a current and a completed voice telephonysession.
 11. A communication system, comprising: a first communicationpipeline; a first communication node, wherein the first communicationnode is interconnected to the first communication pipeline; a displayassociated with the first communication node; a processor associatedwith the first communication node; data storage associated with thefirst communication node; a user input associated with the firstcommunication node; a first endpoint, wherein the first endpoint isoperable to render a first type of content received over the firstcommunication pipeline; a second endpoint, wherein the second endpointis operable to render a second type of content received over the firstcommunication pipeline, wherein information related to the first type ofcontent received over the first communication pipeline and informationrelated to the second type of content received over the firstcommunication pipeline is presented by the display associated with thefirst communication node.
 12. The communication system of claim 11,further comprising: a unified interface application, wherein the unifiedinterface application is operable to present a graphical indication ofthe information related to the first type of content and of theinformation related to the second type of content.
 13. The communicationsystem of claim 12, further comprising: a first affinity profile,wherein information contained in the first affinity profile is appliedby the unified interface application to provide at least some of theinformation related to the first type of content.
 14. The communicationsystem of claim 13, wherein the information related to the first type ofcontent includes an affinity rating determined by the unified interfaceapplication by applying information contained in the first affinityprofile.
 15. The communication system of claim 14, wherein the firstcommunication pipeline is a cable system connection that provides cabletelevision, telephony, and Internet content types.
 16. The communicationsystem of claim 15, wherein the first communication node is a set-topbox, wherein the display is provided by a television interconnected tothe set-top box, wherein the processor and data storage are included aspart of the set-top box, and wherein the user input includes a remotecontrol operable to receive input from a user and to provide a controlsignal in response to that input to the set-top box.
 17. A method forproviding information, comprising: providing a communication node;interconnecting the communication node to a communication pipeline;interconnecting the communication node to a plurality of communicationendpoints, the communication endpoints including: a first endpointoperable to display television programming received over thecommunication node; a second endpoint operable to support voicetelephony communications transmitted over the communication pipeline; athird endpoint operable to support Internet browsing sessions over thecommunication pipeline; displaying information related to programmingavailable to or displayed by the television; displaying informationrelated to voice telephony communications including the second endpoint;displaying information related Internet browsing sessions involving thethird endpoint, wherein information related to programming, voicetelephony communications, and Internet browsing sessions are displayedsimultaneously.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:receiving and storing at least first profile information; applying thefirst profile information to provide an indication that an item of atleast one instance of television programming, voice telephonycommunication, or Internet content is of particular interest to at leasta first party.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: receivingand storing information related to a plurality of contacts; associatingan instance of television programming, voice telephony communication, oran Internet browsing session to at least one contact included in theplurality of contacts.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:applying the first profile information to suggest that the first partyconsider an action related to an instance of television programming,voice telephony communication, or Internet content.